Thermo Fisher Scientific has coupled chromatography and mass spectrometry (MS) systems to develop a technique that can distinguish between organic and inorganic arsenic with high sensitivity.
It couples the firm's Dionex ICS-5000 reagent-free ion chromatography system (ICS) with its XSeries 2 ICP-Q-MS to create a proven IC-ICP-MS method for detecting trace elements.
The distinction is important, as inorganic forms of arsenic are highly toxic whereas organic forms are not. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that sometimes enters drinking water and fruit juices during agricultural and industrial processes.
Because typical levels of total arsenic found in apple juice are lower than the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water maximum contaminant level, apple juice is generally considered safe for consumption and is not regulated in the US.
Contact: Thermo Fisher Scientific